Year 11 - Religious education
Christian attitudes to human life
Issues of life and death
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will focus firstly on the relationship between religion and science - looking at ideas of creation. They will examine how Christians and non-religious people view the world. Finally they will examine how people speak about the sanctity of life.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain Christian beliefs about the creation and value of human life.
Key Notes
- Genesis 1 teaches that God made human life in his image; Genesis 2 teaches that God made Adam & breathed life into him.
- Many Christians accept theistic evolution, but some are creationists & interpret Genesis literally, rejecting evolution.
- Being created in God's image gives humans purpose, dignity and a connection with God.
- Catholics and Anglicans believe life is sacred because it's created by God; Quakers emphasise the divine in everyone.
- Although human life has a unique status, Christians believe they have a duty to care for animals.
Vocabulary To Learn
- creationism: the belief that God created life exactly as described in Genesis
- image of God: the belief that humans reflect God's nature
- sanctity of life: the belief that life is sacred/special because it was created by God, or because we are each unique individuals
- soul: the spiritual aspect of a being; that which connects someone to God
- theistic evolution: the belief that God works through the process of evolution
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All Christians interpret the Genesis creation story literally.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Genesis 1 teaches that God made human life in his image; Genesis 2 teaches that God made Adam & breathed life into him. Many Christians accept theistic evolution, but some are creationists & interpret Genesis literally, rejecting evolution.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'creationism'
the belief that God created life exactly as described in Genesis.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: All Christians interpret the Genesis creation story literally. Correction: Many Christians see Genesis as metaphorical or compatible with scientific explanations such as theistic evolution.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Christian and humanist funerals Study Guide
- Christian and non-religious beliefs about creation Study Guide
- Christian beliefs about death and the afterlife Study Guide
- Contrasting views on abortion Study Guide
- Contrasting views on euthanasia Study Guide
- Dominion, stewardship and environmental responsibility Study Guide
- Non-religious attitudes to human life Study Guide
- Non-religious beliefs about death and the afterlife Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 11 Religious education guide library.